Arbitron question...

[Tennessee Cowboy]

When smaller stations make no changes and show audience where there was none before, I start to wonder if there has been some kind of fundamental change to the way the ratings are calculated. If it happens two books in a row, it's hard to believe it's a fluke.

Does anyone know if Arbitron adjusted any of its gathering or tallying methods for Knoxville commencing with the Fall 2010 survey?

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Specifically, it seems as though some of the rim shots picked up a little. I'm wondering if extra diaries were purchased in specific areas starting last fall. Or if Arbitron changed something.

Since most of the beneficiaries of these numbers aren't subscribers, and these numbers won't help the smaller stations generate ad dollars, I'm figuring we won't see this continue for much longer.

Any genuine Arbitron experts on this board, or are all of us a lying, opinionated bunch of hacks? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Something happened that gave more weight to smaller stations in adjacent counties. The only thing I can think of is that more diaries went to Sevier, Jefferson, Loudon, and Anderson Counties the last two surveys.

 

[Hundredthousandwatts]

Something happened that gave more weight to smaller stations in adjacent counties. The only thing I can think of is that more diaries went to Sevier, Jefferson, Loudon, and Anderson Counties the last two surveys.

I thought they cut Jefferson out of the "immediate" metro.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Something happened that gave more weight to smaller stations in adjacent counties. The only thing I can think of is that more diaries went to Sevier, Jefferson, Loudon, and Anderson Counties the last two surveys.

I thought they cut Jefferson out of the "immediate" metro.

105.5 shows up now when it didn't before. I'm thinking most of its listeners are in Sevier and Jefferson.

 

[Hundredthousandwatts]

Not to take away from the topic, but if that 105.5 outfit were smart, they'd put classic hits back on 106.3, it would serve Sevier County and all the tourist types well.

 

[knoxside]

Anderson is still part of the metro and there's been no change with the other primary counties. I checked diary placement and nothing significant has changed over the past two years. One major change has been the addition of cellular only dairy holders. This last book had 20% of the in-tabs attributed to cell only households. It does seem that since cell phones have been added there have been some noticeable differences, but I'm not sure this would account for the smaller stations having a better showing. Even if this didn't answer the question, I thought it was a change worth mentioning.

 

[knoxside]

cellular only dairy holders

Uh, make that diary holders. No animals were harmed in the gathering of data.

 

[spindoctor1]

Not to take away from the topic, but if that 105.5 outfit were smart, they'd put classic hits back on 106.3, it would serve Sevier County and all the tourist types well.

And 106.3 needs to lower their power back to what they are licensed for also.

 

[BRice16]

Not to take away from the topic, but if that 105.5 outfit were smart, they'd put classic hits back on 106.3, it would serve Sevier County and all the tourist types well.

And 106.3 needs to lower their power back to what they are licensed for also.

I'd rather they not, I like being able to hear ESPN Radio and the Braves in West Knoxville.

 

[spindoctor1]

I'd rather they DO because they are over power and affecting my 60db contour.